“It’s not an easy task”

Honeysuckle may be strong – but the Heartland Conservation Alliance's united front is stronger.

Flatland KC recently reported on ongoing efforts to eradicate the extremely invasive plant species from a land conservation area near the Blue River in Missouri.

Honeysuckle came to Missouri many years ago when it was introduced for landscaping, but it has since become widespread throughout the state. Its fast-growing roots regularly smother the native plants that are so important to a healthy ecosystem, depriving them of their share of water and nutrients.

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That's why the Heartland Overlook Preserve team is taking an “all hands on deck” approach to eradicating honeysuckle for good.

Jessica Hartel, senior director of conservation and education at the HCA, told Flatland: “We were interested in exploring different techniques on the ground because you ask about ten different ecologists or conservationists or whatever what the best approach is to remove Honeysuckle is, and you literally.” I'll get about 10 different answers. It's not an easy task.

One tactic they are trying is the use of organic pastures, also known as sheep. They worked with Good Oak, a regenerative agriculture and ecological restoration organization, which brought 25 sheep to the reserve; They spent several days feeding on the nutritious honeysuckle leaves until there was nothing left.

However, because the seeds remain in the soil, it will take many rounds and many years to completely eliminate the invasive species. That's why the HCA also invited the Native Lands Restoration Collaborative to take a complementary approach: removing and planting native species by hand.

Executive director Courtney Masterson told Flatland that while this approach is slower than other methods, it is very effective at quickly anchoring the soil. This is because native plants have deeper roots than most other wildflowers and trees. Anchoring the soil in this way is necessary to prevent erosion, especially on a steep slope site like this.

But Masterson also pointed out that despite the combined removal approaches, the site would need to be defended against honeysuckle reintroduction “in the long term.”

Regardless, Hartel emphasized, the community-led approach is the most effective way to win in this ongoing battle for forest land.

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